Abstract by author:
As early as the German colonial period (1884 -1915) suitable areas were used for the irrigation of various agricultural products. This was, however, practised for private supply rather than on a commercial basis due to the very slow development of water resources in German South West Africa
Existing and planned water resource development (dams, water schemes, ground water development) and the expansion of areas currently under irrigation would allow for an increase in Namibian irrigation farming production
Nevertheless, Namibian irrigation farming meets only 10 - 15 percent of the local demand for irrigation products annually. Major quantities have therefore to be imported from the neighbouring Republic of South Africa
Limited water resources, poor soil quality and reluctance to apply more economic irrigation methods are the main obstacles to the expansion of Namibian irrigation farming
